T H E BRIGHT PENNY

December 2003 A NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE USS BERKELEY (DDG -15) ASSOCIATION 2004 Reunion in Branson, MO.

Another year is coming to an end and along with it the end of a remarkable era. This MASTER CHIEF IN THE SPOTLIGHT edition of The Bright Penny is the last one that Jim Barrett will publish. Jim has devoted Master Chief Yeoman (Surface Warfare) Curtis many years and countless hours of hard work Kiesau was born in 1948 in Waukon, Iowa, where he to give birth to and guide the U SS Berkeley attended local schools. He stu died one year at the Association. Even though Jim turned the day University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point before enlisting in the Navy in September 1967. After completing to day workings of the recruit training at San Diego, he reported to USS Association over to me in BERKELEY (DDG -15), the first of many varied duty December, 2000 he has stations and ships, which als o included the Defense continued to serve as the Intelligence School/Defense Intelligence Agency, editor for The Bright Penny Washington, DC, 1970 -1971; Defense Language as well as maintaining the Institute We st Coast (German language training), website. It is now time for Monterey, California, 1972; U.S. Navy Representative’s Office, Munich, West Germany, Jim to travel and enjoy life 1972 -1974; Commander, Submarine Squadron Six with Elaine. Both of these (embarked USS L. Y. SPEAR (AS -36)), 1974 -1975; responsibilities will now be Ray Bartlett USS SPRUANCE (DD -963) (Plankowner), 1975 -1977; added to my job description. Naval Junior ROTC Area Six Program Manager, I know I speak for the entire membership as I Naval Base, Charleston, South Carolina, 1977 -1981; offer my gratitude to Jim for all he has done Commander, -Destro yer Group Two, 1981 - to pay tribute to the USS Berkeley. 1984; Administrative Branch Supervisor, Service There are currently 296 memb ers in the School Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, 1984 -1990; Personnel Exchange Liaison Representative, U.S. Association. While the increase in dues did American Embassy, Bonn, Germany, 1990 -1992; and discourage a few of the members we have had Command Master Chief, USS GETTYSBURG (CG - many new members sign up in the last year. 64). Master Chief Kiesau earned designations as YNCM (SW) Curtis Kiesau Efforts are ongoing to increase our Naval Intelligence Clerk in 1971 and Enlisted Surface membership base. I’ve asked before and I’ll Warfare Specialist in 198 2. Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit ask again, if you know anyone w ho served on Master Chief Kiesau retired in September 1994 Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon (2 Awards), Navy the Berkeley who is not a member, give them having completed 27 years of active service. He Good Conduct Medal (w/Silver Star), Navy a nudge and tell them to contact me. attended the University of W isconsin, La Crosse, Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal where he earned his BA in Liberal Arts and was (w/Silver Star) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, The 2004 reunion in Branson, Mis souri is employed by the U.S. Geological Survey at the Upper Service Medal (w/ 2 Bronze Stars), Southwest less than a year away. Information flyers and Midwest Environmental Science Center in La Crosse. Asia Service Medal (w/Bronze Star), Sea Service sign up sheets will be mailed out in March to After residing there for seven years, he and his wife Deployment Ribbon (w/3 Bronze Stars), Navy & all current members. Our reunion committee relocated to Wausau, Wisconsin where they are Marine C orps Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Bronze has done a great job getting things set up for actively involved in remodeling a home and he is Star), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit our enjoyment. Be sure and put the reunion employed with a nationally known insurance company. Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actio ns Unit on your schedule as it promises to be one of Master Chief Kiesau is married to the former Carolyn Citation, NATO Peacekeeping Service Medal and the best so far. Thomas (formerly a Disbursing Clerk Third Class of Sharpshooter Pistol Shot Medal. Naval Station Long Be ach) of Ashton, Maryland. “I have truly missed all the traveling m y family and I Efforts are currently underway by several Their daughter, husband and brand new grandson live did with the Navy, and I miss many of my shipmates Adams Class DDG Associations to obtain on e in Waukesha, Wisconsin. although I have managed to stay in touch with some of the ships for a floating museum. Currently Master Chief Kiesau’s p ersonal decorations include of them. I t was a terrific time to be a member of the there are two ships that could possibly be the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Navy and to have enjoyed so much both ashore and involved; the USS Charles F. Adams, DDG -2 Medal (w/Gold Star), Combat Action Ribbon, Joint at sea, both stateside and overseas .” and the USS Barney, DDG -6. The USS Charles F. Adams is looking at the Saginaw On 19 June 2003 ex -USS Richard E. Byrd Valley Naval Ship Museum and the USS (DDG -23) was sunk off Crete as a target by Barney is looking at the Miami -Dade the with three missiles and t wo Historical Maritime Museum. There is a torpedoes. The ship was never placed into great deal of controversy at the present time service, but was towed to Greece and used for as to which of the ships is in the best shape spare parts. and which one could be obtained from NAVSEA. Anyone who is interested in getting more informa tion can go to www. Saving the USS Charles F. cfadams.org or http://groups.yahoo.com/ Adams group/CFA_Confedration/. The Charles F. Adams Confederation has announced that the Saginaw Valley USS Waddell Decommissioning The last of the Adams Naval Ship Museum has made a decision HS NEARCHOS (DDG -219) Ex -USS to abandon their effort in acquiring the Waddell (DDG -24) was decommissioned in Class DDG’s ship. Additional information is available July 2003 at Souda Bay, Crete. Rick Bennett, The only Adams Class President and Webmaster for the USS on the CFA Website www.charl esfadams. remaining in service is HS Kimon D -218 com Waddell Association, traveled to Greece to (ex –USS Semmes DDG -18 ) operating out observe and photograph the ceremo ny. of Salamis Naval Base near Athens. Ex - Another effort While in Greece Rick took hundreds of Semmes was commissioned on 10 The USS Barney (DDG -6) Association photos of the former Waddell, Berkeley and December 1962 and is the only ship of her Strauss. Additionally, he took extensive video class to exceed forty years of continuous is working diligently to acquire the of the ships and has graciously provided a active service. HS Nearchos D -219 (ex - Barney as a museum ship f or display in copy to our Association. There is a lot of USS Waddell DDG -24) was decom - Florida. Currently on the list to be video of Berkeley inside and out an d you will missioned on 18 Ju ly 2003 at Souda Bay, scrapped, NAVSEA recently moved her be able to view it at our reunions. To see the Crete where ex -Berkeley and all of the to the bottom of the scrap list and that still shots you can visit his Web site at www. other decommissioned ships are berthed. will give the Barney group more time to usswaddell.com. A big br avo zulu to Rick for Ex -Berkeley was the second longest of the raise the necessary funds to save the ship. all his efforts and for providing some closure class in service with 39 years and 2 months. of ex -Berkeley as she awaits her fate. The Bright Penny - December 2003 Page 2

USS BERKELEY ASSOCIATION Sea Tales “The Plankowner” Here we go again! P.O. Box 267 My father, James E. Barrett, Claremont, CA 91711-0267 For the third time in the past 40 years 909-981-7587 was a Chief Warrant Carpenter the Signalman rate will become history E Mail: [email protected] at the end of World War II. by 30 September 2004. The Qua rter - Website: www.USSBe rkeley.com Upon returning to the U.S. master rate will absorb about ten percent Annual Dues: $20.00 following three years in of the 2,322 SM’s in the Navy. The Association Director: Ray Bartlett Londonderry, Northern Ireland, he was remainder will have to convert to other Editor: CDR Jim Barrett (Ret) assigned to the Long Beach Naval rates and must make a decision by 31 Shipyard as a Ship’ s Superintendent. At January. The Navy’s ruling that does not Letter from the Editor the shipyard was the battleship USS allow rate changes after 14 years of As Ray Bartlett stated in his column this Nevada (BB -36) being prepped in bright service is being wa ived for SM’s. At will be my final issue as editor of the red lead paint to be the center present SM’s only spend 5 to 7 percent of Bright Penny newslett er. Ray will be for the atomic bomb Able Test at Bikini their time doing signalman work. taking over as the new editor and he will Island, which was conducted in 1946. also assume the job of Webmaster for our CWO4 Barrett was a Web site. member of the c ommis - REUNIONS It has been my s incere pleasure to serve sioning crew of the the Association for the past eighteen Nevada in 1916 and years. We got off to a slow start in 1985 served aboard her until with about 20 former cr ewmembers and 1925. Nevada was his have since grown to nearly 1,000 in our third battleship and the roster. I leave with a smile on my face favorite of f ive he served on during knowing the Association and all of its seventeen consecutive years at sea. With collateral duties are in good hands. Ray the Nevada in sight, he grabbed a and Donna Bartlett have brought a high shipyard worker with a skill saw, walked degree of interest, professionalism and up to the quarterdeck and said to the dedication in keeping the Association OOD, “I am a plankowner of this ship and I am here to get my plank.” The OOD did growing. Continue to give them your A small group of OI Division Radarmen not appear to want to argue with this salty support for one of the finest DDG’s to gathered at Marriott’s Desert Springs looking officer and stepped aside as the ever serve ou r U.S. Navy. I look forward resort at Palm Desert, California on 14 worker cut a plank right out of the to future reunions and sitting out there June 2003. A ttending were Rich and quarterdeck. I still have the 18” long teak among all of you and watch our new Anita Cody (NY), Dave Oldham (AZ) leaders carry out their duties. I can now wood plank shown in the photo. Jim Barrett, CDR, USN (Ret) and Ed Dertinger (CA). say I am fully retired.

BERKELEY HISTORY DECEMBER 40 Years Ago, 1963 In port Long Beach. CDR Wyatt E. Harper Jr. is the Commanding Officer. 30 Years Ago, 1973 On 19 July a second group of Radarmen On 26 November the ship’s homeport was and their wives met at Peddler’s Village officially changed to San Diego, CA. 1-05, in Bucks County, Lahaska, Pennsylvania. Inport, Bangor, WA.; 06 -07, WSAT; 8-11, In attendance were (L -R) David and Inport, Esquimalt, Canada; 11 -13, WSAT; Donna Meier (NJ), Rich and Anita Cody 14 -31, Inport, PSNS. CDR Jerry S. Jones is the Commanding Officer. (NY) and Bob and Joyce Landis (PA). 20 Year Ago, 1983 1-12, Underway READIEX 84 -1; 13, Onload, North island; 14 -31, Inport San Diego. CDR Robert W. Reighley is the Commanding Of ficer 10 Years Ago, 1993 Ex -Berkeley in service with the Hellenic Navy of Greece.

Interesting Web sites www.hmshood.com . For WWII history buffs this is a great site with a well documented history and many underwater photos of the British cruiser HMS HOOD and the German battleship BISMARCK.

2004 active duty pay raise is 3.7% An E -1 in boot camp now starts out at During the weekend of 17 -19 October Paul & Hallie Downey hosted a gathering $1,104 per month. An E -4 with two dubbed the 40th Reunion for the officers of the wardroom from the 1962 commissio n- years of service will receive $1,638 and ing to 1966. The gala event was held in Healdsburg, California at their ranch and vin e- a new ensign will r eceive $2,264. yard. Attendees were Jim & Elaine Barrett, Frank & Barbara Bennett, Jack Cane, TAPS Gene & Gay Chicoine, Charles & Judy McKenna, Joe and Rosemarie Novelline, Paul & Sandy Pimentel, Rose Ricinak, “Bud” & Jayne Schiff, Coenraad & Lesley Van Der BT1 Randall Diffie passed away 6 July Schroeff, Richard & Mary Wallace, Norman Wight & Phyllis Musicar and Brian & 2003. Randall served in Berkeley from Barbara Young. The usual round of sea stories prevailed and a great t ime was had by 1974 to 1977 all.